The Watson test assesses instability of which carpal articulation?

The Watson test assesses instability of which carpal articulation?

• A. Lunotriquetral instability
• B. Scapholunate dissociation
• C. Midcarpal instability
• D. TFCC injury

Answer: (B)

The test targets the scapholunate articulation, which is stabilized by the scapholunate interosseous ligament. When that ligament is torn, the scaphoid can shift relative to the lunate during wrist motion, and you may feel or hear a painful clunk as the scaphoid relocates. This test specifically stresses that scapholunate relationship: with the forearm stabilized, the examiner grasps the scaphoid and moves the wrist from ulnar deviation into radial deviation while applying pressure along the scaphoid. If a painful clunk or shift occurs, it indicates scapholunate dissociation. It’s not designed to assess lunotriquetral instability, midcarpal instability, or TFCC injury, which involve different structures and tests.

The test targets the scapholunate articulation, which is stabilized by the scapholunate interosseous ligament. When that ligament is torn, the scaphoid can shift relative to the lunate during wrist motion, and you may feel or hear a painful clunk as the scaphoid relocates. This test specifically stresses that scapholunate relationship: with the forearm stabilized, the examiner grasps the scaphoid and moves the wrist from ulnar deviation into radial deviation while applying pressure along the scaphoid. If a painful clunk or shift occurs, it indicates scapholunate dissociation. It’s not designed to assess lunotriquetral instability, midcarpal instability, or TFCC injury, which involve different structures and tests.